The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed a two-year protection order filed against a former St. Joseph County college student who argued there was little evidence he posed a credible threat.

On Jan. 16, the appellee, identified in court papers as “M.D.,” requested a protection order against the appellant, who was identified as “R.P.” and whom she says stalked her and committed sexual battery.

The St. Joseph Superior Court issued the order on March 27, which stated that R.P. was not to be within 300 feet of M.D. with the exception of participating in legal proceedings. M.D. previously asked their unnamed university for an absolute 6-month, no contact order, which the university granted and later extended until after R.P.’s graduation in May.

The court found that R.P. posed a credible threat to the appellee and had committed a sex offense and harassed her, according to court documents. The court noted escalating behavior that included giving the appellee a book in which he had marked a chapter about death and then refusing to leave her room one night and trying to drag her into her bed.

R.P. disputed those allegations in his appeal and argued that the trial court issued the order based on insufficient evidence. Appellate Judge Margaret Robb addressed each of the disputed allegations.

Robb affirmed the trial court’s finding that R.P. posed a “credible threat” to M.D. She cites the fact that soon after the two met as freshmen on a “first aid student team,” R.P. attempted to kiss her during an astronomy event even though he knew she was engaged. He also touched her hair, tried to get her alone and told her he loved her.

R.P.’s behavior escalated on Jan. 22, 2025, when he refused to leave M.D.’s room despite her many pleas, according to court documents. M.D. awoke the next morning to R.P. kissing and groping her.

Robb cited an Indiana Supreme Court rule stating that a person qualifies as a credible threat if the respondent’s actions provide reasonable grounds to believe a threat of violence exists.

Judge Robb also affirmed the trial court’s finding that R.P.’s actions constituted sexual battery, which according to Indiana Code 35-42-4-8(a) involves a person intending to arouse or satisfy either the alleged victim’s sexual desires or their own by touching a person when they are compelled to submit by force or threat of force or unable to give consent (e.g. mentally disabled), or unaware that the touching is occurring.

“M.D. reasonably did not feel free to resist his groping because R.P. pulled her closer to him in the night and had refused to leave after repeatedly being asked to do so,” she wrote.

Robb also agreed that R.P.’s behavior constituted harassment, which Indiana’s Civil Protection Order Act says could include “repeated or continuing impermissible conduct.”

After the Jan. 22, 2025, incident, R.P. asked M.D. to hang out and repeatedly texted her. A few days later, he contacted two of her friends and her advisor about M.D.’s mental health. He told the advisor that M.D. planned to commit suicide using drugs she stole from a university lab.

Judges Cale Bradford and Dana Kenworthy concurred in the decision.

• A few notable results caused a significant shakeup to our latest Central Indiana high school volleyball power rankings.

There were a few surprising results last week, resulting in some changes to our latest Central Indiana high school volleyball power rankings.

1. Westfield (16-1)

Previous ranking (Sept. 1): 1

The Rocks have now swept 13 of 14 matches during their current win streak, but this week presents a couple formidable sectional matches with Carmel on Monday followed by a trip to rival Hamilton Southeastern on Wednesday. Westfield beat the Royals in last year’s sectional semifinal, ending a 20-match losing streak in the series.

2. Hamilton Southeastern (15-2)

PR: 2

The Royals lost to Yorktown in five — an admirable showing against the perennial powerhouse — then rallied to avoid a fifth set against rival Fishers two nights later. They were banged up a bit over the weekend vs. Lake Central and Evansville Memorial (both wins), and will have a Monday tune-up vs. Pendleton Heights ahead of Westfield on Wednesday, and Plainfield and Homestead over the weekend.

3. Plainfield (14-2)

PR: 3

The Quakers still have not lost since the first weekend of the season. They dominated previously undefeated Bloomington South, then posted an impressive defensive effort vs. Lawrence North, limiting Reagan Ward and Amya Zander to a combined 11 kills. Three Quakers recorded double-digit digs vs. LN: Evie Ellis, Savannah Brock and Audrey Utterback. Plainfield’s schedule picks up this weekend with matches against HSE and Franklin Central.

4. Carmel (11-2)

PR: 6

The senior-led Hounds added a couple solid wins to their résumé last week, sweeping through a sneaky dangerous Zionsville team and a banged-up (but feisty) Cathedral outfit. This week should give us an idea of where Carmel stands with four matches in six days, all against quality opponents: Westfield, Lawrence North, Fishers and Tri-West.

5. Center Grove (16-3)

PR: 5

The Trojans took a set off undefeated Libertyville (Ill.) on Saturday, no small feat considering the Wildcats have dropped only six games this season and 27 over the past two years. Tuesday’s match vs. Brownsburg (4-10) may be one to monitor. The Bulldogs beat Franklin Central on Sept. 3, and went five with Yorktown and Northview over the weekend. Milestone alert: Setter Anabelle Schembra eclipsed 1,000 career digs last week.

6. Roncalli (10-6)

PR: 8

The Royals snapped a three-match skid (Center Grove x2, Providence) with a decisive 3-0 win over Martinsville. They hosted Bishop Chatard on Monday, and have an interesting stretch to close out September: Brebeuf Jesuit (Tuesday), Tri-West (Wednesday), HSE (Sept. 22) and Zionsville (Sept. 29). Middles Ella Stone and Stella Kessenich are averaging over five blocks per match combined, while DS Nora Smith is clocking over 12 digs and nearly 13 receptions per match. 

7. Franklin Central (12-3)

PR: 13

The Flashes bounced back from the Brownsburg loss with a notable win over Zionsville and a Saturday sweep through the Connersville Invite, which matched them against Connersville, Rising Sun and Seymour. This week will take them through Greenwood and Avon ahead of a weekend event with Homestead and Plainfield.

8. Lawrence North (10-5)

PR: 10

The Cats have tested themselves against a solid schedule and beaten all the teams they’ve been favored against. This upcoming stretch presents ample opportunity to secure a signature win with Carmel (Tuesday), Center Grove (Sept. 22) and the Cathedral Invite (Sept. 26). A fun stat of note: LN has five-plus blocks in each of its last four matches.

9. Cathedral (9-6)

PR: 9

Impressive showing by the Irish against Tri-West last Thursday. Less than 24 hours removed from a three-set loss to Carmel, they limited the Bruins .171 hitting and were aced only six times. Playing high-level defense and cleanly on serve-receive will be especially important for this group with Hayden Mandsager sidelined and Caroline Hanchar playing through an injury. Middle Chloe Moss and DS Sydney Matthews have both moved to outside hitter to help fill out the attack, while libero Reagan Futa continues leading the defense.

10. Tri-West (14-5)

PR: 4

The Bruins’ loss to Cathedral last Thursday came as a bit of a surprise — the Irish are dealing with a rash of injuries and were coming off a 3-0 loss to Carmel the night before. Tri-West recovered with a nice weekend showing at the Crossroads Classic (Illinois), taking three of five, with the losses to Glenwood (Ill.) and Mater Dei (Ill.), both of whom have only one loss on the season. Roncalli and Carmel highlight this week’s four-match lineup. 

11. New Palestine (15-1)

PR: 7

The Dragons survived a close call Wednesday, outlasting 1A Lutheran, 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 21-25, 27-25, 15-12), then took their first loss of the season Saturday, falling to Lebanon, 2-1. New Pal didn’t have an answer for Mallory Short and Kinley Young, who combined for 30 kills, with Young hitting .632 on 19 attempts. It bounced back against Decatur Central and should be able to regain momentum ahead of its Sept. 28 match vs. Franklin Central. 

12. Lutheran (13-3)

PR: 15

The Saints went five with 3A New Palestine, then took care of 2A Scecina, 3-1. They’ve tested themselves against the likes of FW Concordia Lutheran, Greenwood Christian Academy, Heritage Christian, Mater Dei and Tecumseh. Lutheran’s schedule includes upcoming matches against Franklin (Sept. 23), Lafayette Central Catholic (Sept. 26), South Newton (Sept. 26) and Southport (Sept. 28).

13. Zionsville (11-7)

PR: 12

The Eagles have tapered off a bit since their hot start, enduring a four-match losing streak vs. Westfield, Carmel, Franklin Central and Southwood. They snapped the skid with Saturday wins over Winchester and Oak Hill. A win vs. Cathedral on Tuesday would give them some good momentum entering a stretch of Noblesville, Danville and Lebanon. Libero Lilyana Martinez leads the Eagles in digs (169) and aces (25), while sophomore attacker Taylor Norris is averaging 3.4 kills per set (140 total).

14. Lebanon (10-4)

PR: NR

The Tigers have won nine straight since their 1-4 start, with Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over previously unbeaten New Palestine highlighting the run. Kinley Young and Mallory Short are a brilliant 1-2 punch on the attack, with both averaging around 4-5 kills per match. Sophomore Brooklyn Smith has settled in nicely as the team’s starting setter, while senior Mya Nelson anchors the defense. 

15. Southport (14-2)

PR: NR

The schedule hasn’t been the toughest, but 12 of the Cardinals’ 14 wins came via sweep and their losses were against New Palestine and Franklin Central in late August. They have a nice three-headed monster on the attack with Marlee Chafin, Hallie Rieck and Ruby Bowling, plus a talented setter in Abby Boone who shares the position with Chafin. Southport’s next big test figures to come Sept. 28 at Lutheran.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Winchester Community High School students are learning about life in Alaska through a new FFA partnership.

The Chapter Connect program, which launched last year, pairs FFA chapters across the country to share agricultural insights and cultural experiences. The Randolph County chapter is working with Alaskan students to bridge the 4,000-mile gap between the two states.

“It’s definitely been very exciting. I’m very excited to learn about Alaskan agriculture and meet a bunch of new people,” one student said.

Participants found quickly that life in Alaska differs significantly from east-central Indiana. Even communicating across a four-hour time difference has been a learning experience for the students.

The two schools will meet in person for the first time this October during the National FFA Convention. The chapters plan to attend sessions, a concert and a rodeo together.

“Already our experiences, we noticed very quickly that life in Alaska is nothing like it is here in East Central Indiana. Even just trying to communicate via a four-hour time change has been an experience for all of us and for our students when learning to communicate with others,” a program leader said.

Beyond the convention, both chapters will collaborate on a social media project. Students discussed creating TikTok-style videos to compare and contrast agriculture in Alaska and Indiana.

“I just think it’s really cool that we’re all going to get to come together at National Convention and celebrate what FFA is all about, really connecting with other people,” a student said.

The project and communication will continue through next spring.